Victoria Konefal brings passion to this world by dreaming of a green future. You may know Victoria from her work on Day of our Lives, where she plays the fierce and independent Ciara Brady, and Victoria’s legacy is continuing to grow off-screen with her tremendous conservation efforts with organizations like Heal the Bay and Thirst Project. Conservation has taken a backseat during the turmoil of the pandemic and it is people like Victoria who are helping to put the spotlight back onto what we can do in our everyday lives to make a real contribution to conservation. In honor of Women’s History Month, we were very excited to talk to Victoria about the impact of a woman’s voice — we discuss her experience in Hollywood as an actress, working with women directors, and being an advocate for a better and brighter future. For more on Victoria Konefal, please read our exclusive editorial interview below.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Los Angeles, California.

Have you always wanted to be an actress? How did you get started on this path?
I’m so fortunate to have known from the young age of seven that acting was it for me. I realize that most individuals don’t find their true passion until very late in life so I am eternally blessed for growing up knowing exactly who I wanted to be. I think a lot of it has to do with growing up in New York City. It’s a town fully immersed in the theatric and cinematic culture. Living in a city that bleeds creativity through every window, brick, and subway rail encouraged me to pursue what I knew was a path meant for me.

Your character Ciara Brady on Days of Our Lives is very popular and you even received a Daytime Emmy nomination for your performance. What is your experience like being on Days of Our Lives?
It’s one for the books. I don’t think my experience on this show is at all comparable to anything I have worked on or will work on in the future. I have learned so much and am forever grateful for every second I spend on set because it only challenges me and helps me grow as an actress. Being on the show has forced me to sharpen my work ethic in ways that can only be obtained from this specific experience. That’s something I could never get from a conservatory or an acting coach. I was thrown into this fast-paced world of television not knowing just how strenuous it was going to be, and it was the learning experience of a lifetime. Not to mention that I have met some of my favorite people in the world on that set.

Ciara is a fiercely independent young woman. It is exciting to see more female roles coming out like this. Can you tell us why you think it is important we have more Ciaras on the screen?
I think it’s important that we have more Ciaras on the screen because it will aid in changing the narrative that it’s special or unique for a woman to be outspoken and strong. Society has held women to the standard of being delicate, silent, and compliant for far too long. It’s time to normalize women fighting for themselves without being referred to as “bitchy” or “difficult.” If that concept is portrayed more frequently in the media, I’m hopeful that it will inherently rewire the way women are viewed in the masses.

Do you relate to your character?
Absolutely! I’ve always been a rebellious and adventurous soul that fights for what I believe is right. That may be one of the reasons why I booked the role in the first place. Ciara is independent, tough, and passionate. Generally, I think the people in my life would agree that I am the same way.

It’s currently Women’s History Month and we would love to get your perspective on being a woman in Hollywood. The women’s empowerment movement is all about women supporting women. What women have been integral in supporting you through your career? What would your life look like without them?
The women in my family have always been supportive of me pursuing my career. From childhood, my mother and sister always had faith in me and my pursuits. I am very grateful for that.

In Hollywood however, I have found two women in particular who are incredibly special to me. My publicist Jessica Katz and my manager, Courtney Miller. I don’t even have words to express my appreciation for them. Not only in how hard they work for me, but for how much faith they have in me. For how they fight for me. I feel safe and empowered in their hands, which is not easy to find in this town. They are both true powerhouses- two badass independent boss ladies and I am so fortunate to have met them. Their unwavering and genuine support is something I’ve never felt before in this industry, and they inspire me to challenge my artistic boundaries daily. I’m proud of the women they are and proud to be able to work with them.

Women comprised 21% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 100 grossing films, up from 20% in 2019. Women working in these roles on the top 250 grossing films experienced a slight increase from 21% in 2019 to 23% in 2020. What do you think has helped this change happen?
I think the recent uproar in feminism has given more women the courage to reach goals that are typically dominated by the masculine ego. Women are collectively realizing the power they have always possessed, yet have been conditioned to suppress from birth. At this point, society has no choice but to accept it little by little. We are being loud in ways that makes in nearly impossible to ignore. Whether it’s coming out with films detailing the feminine experience, organizing protests, or even speaking on the topic in a forward fashion, women are finally being heard because we aren’t taking no for an answer anymore. It makes me deeply emotional thinking about how far we’ve come, and how much pain and suffering the women before us had to go through to pave the way for this generation.

Have you been able to work with women directors as an actor? Do you notice a difference?
Unfortunately, not as often as I would like to. It wasn’t until Days of Our Lives that I worked with a female director. And even then, we have two women and five men on the direction team who work interchangeably. And personally, I don’t feel much of a difference. Creative direction is based on the imagination of the beholder, not gender. Though I would say that when I shoot love-making scenes, female directors tend to prioritize making me feel more comfortable during the shooting process because they have more insight as to what it’s like to be topless in a room filled with men. It’s not necessarily the most comfortable situation, and when one of our fierce ladies steps on the set for those scenes, it certainly puts me at ease.

In the world of television, Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay have led the way in writing shows that offer diversity, representation, and authentic women’s experiences (with a wonderful dose of drama). In movies, Reese Witherspoon is also a huge influence in providing stories driven by women and hiring women directors, writers, and crew. Do you think these sorts of efforts made by women are close to becoming the norm? What would you like to see next in the upcoming decade of women’s storytelling in television and film?
I am so proud to say that yes, I do think it’s slowly becoming the norm. Though I will say a lot of the men I meet in my life love to reject it and victimize themselves. It’s an ongoing battle, but these talented and driven women are making some serious waves in history and I trust that it will only go up from here.

You are involved in a few different philanthropies and we would love to know more about how you’re giving back. We know you’re particularly passionate about conservation and the environment. When did this passion begin?
The importance of environmental conservation is far greater than the collective consciousness takes into consideration. Growing up, I have always been drawn to nature. I literally hug trees. I’m in love with the ocean and wildlife. Ignorance is bliss when you’re young, but as I grew up and was taught how much devastation humans are causing to this planet, this cause has taken up a lot of room in my heart. I can’t sit idly by knowing that it’s a direct act of greed and sheer laziness that we are destroying our home, and it is my obligation as a human to try to preserve what is left. We only have one planet and it’s on a road to destruction. I am not okay with that and will do everything I can to help prevent it from happening.

Can you tell us about Heal the Bay? What is their mission and how did you get involved?
Their mission is to protect the coastal waters and general bodies of water in LA. They have been active since 1985 and continuously work in different ways to combat excessive plastic use and littering that is destroying wildlife in the sea. Because they are based solely in LA, the founders and volunteers are extremely hands-on with handling these issues. They organize monthly cleanups where volunteers are assigned a specific neighborhood and spend all day clearing it out of debris/litter. They organize various petitions and legislations to help regulate how healthy our water is kept. They do anything possible to protect the water- therefore protecting marine life and the citizens of LA. Their passion is inspiring, and when I first heard of them I knew they were an organization I needed to be a part of.

What is something that people may be unaware of when it comes to taking part in local conservation efforts like Heal the Bay?
Nine hours of cleaning up on the beach will usually only get you one handful of garbage. Most of the litter we find consists of cigarette butts and tiny balls of Styrofoam, which originate from disposable soda cups you typically get at a fast-food restaurant. It may not seem like it, but it is incredibly harmful because both of those things take approximately 500 years to decompose. It’s nuts once you put it in that perspective.

You’re also involved with Thirst Project, the World’s Largest Youth Water Organization. What drew you to this organization?
They reached out to me with an invitation to their annual Gala, which I was more than thrilled to attend. Once I learned about their mission and what they do, I knew I had to be a part of it. I was always aware of our world’s water crisis, but I didn’t understand its severity until it was presented to me. Knowledge is power, and until the Thirst Project, I never took it upon myself to learn more about it. Seeing all the facts and pain laid out before my eyes left me with no choice but to help.

We love that you support very transparent organizations. Do you have any tips for researching the transparency of nonprofits and philanthropies?
Make sure you can see the positive effects of the philanthropy for yourself. Don’t just trust them at their word. Do your research thoroughly and make sure it’s an organization you would be proud to wear on your shirt like a badge. If a nonprofit is unclear about where the money goes or shifty with their physical efforts, chances are there’s more behind the curtain that I personally wouldn’t want to be a part of.

What’s your elevator pitch to help get people involved with conservation efforts?
Never fall victim to the bystander effect. The thought process of “I’m just one person, how much can I really impact the world? Someone else will do it and that’s enough for me!” is the downfall of environmental conservation. You need to be the change you want to see in the world. If everyone shifted their mindset and believed in the power and consequences of our personal choices, we would be much farther along in the process. Yes, you are just one person. You’re also capable of bringing us one step closer to saving our planet or being the reason it ceases to exist. The role you play is up to you.

With the ongoing pandemic, it feels like environmental awareness has taken a back seat. How would you like to make sure people are pushing more than ever to save our planet?
It’s been difficult, because on top of the pandemic there are so many societal issues being brought to light now more than ever, and they certainly warrant our attention. I’m sad to say that I personally don’t think I’ve been doing a very good job at balancing it all. Aside from my habitual efforts in environmental conservation, it has taken a backseat in my life as well. I forgive myself for it- just because collectively we have been mentally stimulated with a surplus of pain and injustice from all sides of the spectrum, I am only human and can only focus my attention on so much. However, I will say that this interview has inspired me to be more proactive again. I think word of mouth and social influence is an extremely powerful tool in accomplishing all of this, and I will be more attentive in utilizing it. I sincerely thank you for presenting me with an opportunity to reflect and hold myself accountable.

What steps do you encourage people to take to get started in taking care of the earth?
Start small. Change your daily habits step by step. Taking on too much at once can be overwhelming. Also, if you’re not passionate about the cause, please do some research. I am almost certain that once you accumulate knowledge on the topic, the passion and fire to help will follow. Believe in the science presented to you… it’s not a scam and it’s more serious of an issue than we’d like to believe. It is a problem that humans have created and it’s our responsibility to reverse it.

Do you have any upcoming projects that we should be aware of? We want to keep them on our radar!
My hunger for film and TV has never been greater. I am so ready to take on any project thrown at me, but with this pandemic, production is still almost at a standstill. I am patiently waiting for any opportunities to come my way. Until then, I will continue working on myself and my craft to continuously learn how to be the best version of myself that I can.

What has kept you positive during shelter-in-place?
I’m typically a very positive person, and it’s because I choose to be. I fill my life with activities and people that spark my inner light, no matter what situation I may be in. Happiness is not circumstance, it’s perspective. There is so much power in just letting go and leaning on peace when something bothers you. To say I haven’t struggled mentally during this quarantine would be a lie. Of course, I have my bad days- but the way I deal with them is to sit in those emotions, acknowledge them and let them pass. Life is too short to spend it in a situation/mindset that compromises your peace. Do whatever you can for yourself to make your light shine bright. It’s your life, you get to decide how you spend it, even amidst a global pandemic.

What is your life motto?
I have so many that I love to draw inspiration from, but one that is pretty synonymous with them all is to never accept less than what you deserve. Whether it be with friendships, romantic partnerships, family members, coworkers, and even yourself. Always hold your energy to the highest standard. Once you realize how precious you are, your standard for who gets access to you is so high and anyone who can’t reach the bar should be cut.

To learn more about Victoria Konefal, please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: @victoriakonefal
Twitter: @victoriakonefal

Team Credits:
Photographer: Vince Trupsin
Stylist: Alex Clough
Make-up: Tamieka Gardner
Hair: Mika Fowler

Also, we would like to give a huge thank you Manju Raman and the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel for letting us use their stunning location! Not only is Manju a successful business woman, but she is also on the board of PALS Santa Monica! The Santa Monica Police Activities League helps youth develop skills that build self-esteem and encourage them to reach their full potential through community activities!

COVER - Victoria Konefal Dreams Of A Green Future